Kramer VS-81H User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VS-81H
8x1 HDMI Switcher
P/N: 2900-000670 Rev 4

VS-81H – Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 3
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
3Overview 4
3.1 Defining the VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher 4
4Installing in a Rack 7
5Connecting the VS-81H 8
6Operating the VS-81H 10
6.1 The PC and DVD Modes 10
6.2 Acquiring the EDID 11
6.3 Connecting via the RS-232 Port 12
6.4 Connecting via the ETHERNET Port 12
7Technical Specifications 15
8Default Communication Parameters 16
9Protocol 2000 17
Figures
Figure 1: VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher Front Panel 5
Figure 2: VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher Rear Panel 6
Figure 3: Connecting the VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher 9
Figure 4: Local Area Connection Properties Window 13
Figure 5: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window 14

VS-81H - Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of
problems that confront the video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting
professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded
most of our line, making the best even better!
Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 14 groups that are clearly defined
by function: GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Routers;
GROUP 3: Control Systems; GROUP 4: Format/Standards Converters; GROUP 5:
Range Extenders and Repeaters; GROUP 6: Specialty AV Products; GROUP 7:
Scan Converters and Scalers; GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors; GROUP 9:
Room Connectivity; GROUP 10: Accessories and Rack Adapters; GROUP 11:
Sierra Video Products; GROUP 12: Digital Signage; GROUP 13: Audio; and
GROUP 14: Collaboration.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher, which is
ideal for the following typical applications:
Conference room presentations
Rental and staging

2
VS-81H - Getting Started
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging
materials for possible future shipment
Review the contents of this user manual
Go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/product_downloads.asp
to check for up-to-date user manuals, application programs, and to check if
firmware upgrades are available (where appropriate).
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance
To achieve the best performance:
Use only good quality connection cables (we recommend Kramer high-
performance, high-resolution cables) to avoid interference, deterioration in
signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise levels (often
associated with low quality cables)
Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils
Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may adversely
influence signal quality
Position your Kramer VS-81H away from moisture, excessive sunlight and
dust
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be
connected to other equipment that is installed inside a building.
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!

VS-81H - Getting Started
3
2.2 Safety Instructions
Caution:
There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning:
Use only the power cord that is supplied with the unit
Warning:
Do not open the unit. High voltages can cause
electrical shock! Servicing by qualified personnel only
Warning:
Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall
before installing
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC
aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by
requiring it to be collected and recycled. To comply with the WEEE Directive,
Kramer Electronics has made arrangements with the European Advanced
Recycling Network (EARN) and will cover any costs of treatment, recycling and
recovery of waste Kramer Electronics branded equipment on arrival at the EARN
facility. For details of Kramer’s recycling arrangements in your particular country
go to our recycling pages at http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/recycling/.
!

4
VS-81H - Overview
3 Overview
The VS-81H is a high-performance switcher for HDMI signals. It reclocks and
equalizes the signal and switches one of the 4 inputs to a single HDMI output.
In particular, the VS-81H features:
A maximum data rate of 6.75Gbps (2.25Gbps per graphic channel)
HDTV compatibility (suitable for resolutions up to UXGA at 60Hz, and for all
HD resolutions)
HDMI support with Deep Color, x.v.Color™, up to 7.1 Uncompressed Audio
Channels
HDCP support (High Definition Digital Content Protection)
EDID pass-through that passes EDID/HDCP signals from source to display
3D pass-through
Kramer Equalization Technology that equalizes the digital signal allowing it
to travel distances of up to 15m (50ft)
Eight input selector buttons
A OFF button to disconnect the output and a PANEL LOCK button to
prevent unwanted tampering with the buttons on the front panel
A world-wide power supply 100−240V AC
Installation in one vertical space of a standard 19” professional rack
enclosure
Control the VS-81H using the front panel buttons, or remotely via:
RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or other
serial controller
The Kramer RC-IR3 infrared remote control transmitter
The Ethernet
3.1 Defining the VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher
This section defines the VS-81H.

VS-81H - Overview
5
VS-81H –Overview
5
Figure 1: VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR Receiver
LED illuminates when receiving signals from the infrared remote control transmitter
2
POWER Switch
Illuminated switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
3
OFF Button
Press to toggle disconnecting the output
Flashes when the EDID of the connected monitor is different from the last EDID that was saved
4
INPUT SELECTOR Buttons
Press to select an input (from 1 to 8)
5
PANEL LOCK Button
Press to toggle disengaging the front panel buttons and to set to the PC/DVD mode

6
VS-81H - Overview
Figure 2: VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
6
INPUT HDMI Connectors
Connect to the HDMI sources (from 1 to 8)
7
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Connector
Connects to a PC or an RS-232 remote controller
8
ETHERNET Connector
Connects to a PC, Ethernet controller or network
9
RESET Button
Press to reset to the factory default definitions:
First disconnect the power cord and then connect it again while pressing the RESET button. The
unit powers up and loads the factory default definitions into its memory.
IP number 192.168.1.39
Mask –255.255.255.0
Gateway –192.168.1.1
10
OUTPUT HDMIConnector
Connects to the HDMI acceptor
11
Power Connector with Fuse
AC connector enabling power supply to the unit
6
VS-81H –Overview

VS-81H - Installing in a Rack
7
4 Installing in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

8
VS-81H - Connecting the VS-81H
5 Connecting the VS-81H
To connect the VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher (as illustrated in Figure 3), do the
following:
1. If required:
Set the appropriate INPUTS to the DVD mode (see Section 6.1)
Acquire the EDID (see Section 6.2)
2. Connect the HDMI sources as follows:
You do not have to connect all the HDMI sources.
Alternatively, you can connect a PC to any of the inputs and set those inputs to the PC
mode (see Section 6.1)
A multimedia player to INPUT 1
A set top box to INPUT 2
A DVD player to INPUT 6
A DVD player to INPUT 8
3. Connect the OUTPUT HDMI connector to an HDMI acceptor (for example, a
plasma display).
4. If required, connect a PC and/or controller to the RS-232 port (see
Section 6.3) and/or the ETHERNET port (see Section 6.4).
5. Connect the power connector to the mains electricity (not shown in Figure 3).
Press an INPUT SELECTOR button (from 1 to 8) to choose the HDMI input to
route to the output.
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VS-81H. After connecting your VS-81H, connect its power and then
switch on the power to each device.
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VS-81H - Connecting the VS-81H
9
Figure 3: Connecting the VS-81H 8x1 HDMI Switcher

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VS-81H - Operating the VS-81H
6 Operating the VS-81H
This section describes:
The PC mode and the DVD mode (see Section 6.1)
How to acquire the EDID (see Section 6.2)
How to control the machine via RS-232 (see Section 6.3)
How to control the machine via the ETHERNET port (see Section 6.4)
6.1 The PC and DVD Modes
The VS-81H has two operation modes that can be set individually for each input:
the PC mode (default) and the DVD mode:
Use the PC mode when connecting one or more computers to the inputs
using a DVI-to-HDMI converter cable
For example, the Kramer HDMI-DVI gold-plated cable in various lengths (3”, 6”, 10” and
15”).
Use the DVD mode when connecting one or more DVDs to the inputs
In the PC mode, an input always has access to the EDID (default or acquired) to
prevent the computer from resetting if the output is not connected.
In the DVD mode, an input only has access to the EDID when it is switched to the
connected output.
The PC mode and the DVD mode can be applied to a single unit or to several
inputs. For example, if you want to connect computers to INPUTS 1 and 2, and
DVD machines to INPUTS 6 and 8, set INPUTS 1 and 2 to the PC mode and
INPUTS 6 and 8 to the DVD mode.
To set the inputs to either the PC or DVD mode, do the following:
1. Turn off the VS-81H POWER.
2. Press the PANEL LOCK button while turning the POWER on again.

VS-81H - Operating the VS-81H
11
3. Keep pressing and holding the PANEL LOCK button for a few seconds and
then release it.
The LOCK button flashes.
If an input button illuminates, this indicates that that input is set to the DVD
mode.
If an input button is not illuminated, this indicates that that input is set to the
PC mode.
4. Press an input to toggle between the PC mode (input button not illuminated)
and the DVD mode (input button illuminated).
5. To exit this mode, press the PANEL LOCK button.
6. Connect a computer to the input that is set to the PC mode and a DVD to the
input that is set to the DVD mode.
The following table summarizes the differences between the PC mode and the
DVD mode:
PC Mode
DVD Mode
The input is connected to a computer
The input is connected to a multimedia
application, such as a DVD, a set top box
and so on
The EDID is available at all times (to prevent
computer reset)
The EDID is available only when the input
and an output are connected
The input EDID source is the default EDID
or an acquired EDID (see Section 6.2)
The input EDID source is acquired directly
from the connected output
6.2 Acquiring the EDID
The acquired EDID is used when an input is set to the PC mode.
To acquire the EDID, do the following:
1. Turn the POWER off.
2. Press the PANEL LOCK button and the INPUT 8 button while turning the
POWER on again.
The INPUT buttons flash in sequence until the unit has completed to read
the EDID.

12
VS-81H - Operating the VS-81H
3. Release the PANEL LOCK and INPUT 8 buttons.
If an output was connected, the output EDID is read to all the inputs. If an output
was not connected to the machine, the default EDID is read to the inputs.
6.3 Connecting via the RS-232 Port
You can connect to the VS-81H to a PC or RS-232 controller using the RS-232
connection.
Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
To connect to the VS-81H via RS-232:
Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel port on the VS-81H unit via a
9-wire straight cable (only pin 2 to pin 2, pin 3 to pin 3, and pin 5 to pin 5
need to be connected) to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on your PC
6.4 Connecting via the ETHERNET Port
You can connect the VS-81H via the Ethernet, using a crossover cable (see
Section 6.4.1) for direct connection to the PC or a straight through cable (see
Section 6.4.2) for connection via a network hub or network router.
After connecting the Ethernet port, install and configure your Ethernet Port. For detailed
instructions, see the “Ethernet Configuration (FC-11) guide.pdf” file in the technical support
section on our Web site: http://www.kramerelectronics.com.
6.4.1 Connecting the ETHERNET Port directly to a PC (Crossover
Cable)
You canconnect the Ethernet port of the VS-81H to the Ethernet port on your PC,
via a crossover cable with RJ-45 connectors.
This type of connection is recommended for identification of the factory default
IP Address of the VS-81H during the initial configuration.
After connecting the Ethernet port, configure your PC as follows:
1. Right-click the My Network Places icon on your desktop.
2. Select Properties.

VS-81H - Operating the VS-81H
13
3. Right-click Local Area Connection Properties.
4. Select Properties.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
5. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties Button (see
Figure 4).
Figure 4: Local Area Connection Properties Window
6. Select Use the following IP Address, and fill in the details as shown in
Figure 5.
7. Click OK.

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VS-81H - Operating the VS-81H
Figure 5: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window
6.4.2 Connecting the ETHERNET Port via a Network Hub (Straight-
Through Cable)
You can connect the Ethernet port of the VS-81H to the Ethernet port on a network
hub or network router, via a straight through cable with RJ-45 connectors.
6.4.3 Configuring Several Units via the Ethernet Port
To control several units via the Ethernet, connect each unit via the Ethernet port to
the LAN port of your PC. Use your PC to initially configure the settings of each unit
(see Section 6.4 6.4.1).

VS-81H - Technical Specifications
15
7 Technical Specifications
INPUTS:
8 HDMI connectors
OUTPUT:
1 HDMI connector
MAX. DATA RATE:
Up to 6.75Gbps (2.25Gbps per graphic channel)
COMPLIANCE WITH HDMI
STANDARD:
Supports HDMI and HDCP
RESOLUTION:
Up to UXGA; 1080p, deep color
POWER SOURCE:
100240V AC; 50/60Hz, 12VA
CONTROLS:
Front panel buttons, infrared remote control
transmitter, RS-232, Ethernet
OPERATING TEMPERATURE:
0° to +40°C (32° to 104°F)
STORAGE TEMPERATURE:
-40° to +70°C (-40° to 158°F)
HUMIDITY:
10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing
DIMENSIONS:
19” x 7” x 1U (W, D, H)
WEIGHT:
2.5kg (5.5lbs) approx.
ACCESSORIES:
Power cord, rack “ears” and IR remote control
Specifications are subject to change without notice at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

16
VS-81H - Default Communication Parameters
8 Default Communication Parameters
RS-232
Protocol 2000
Baud Rate:
9600
Data Bits:
8
Stop Bits:
1
Parity:
None
Command Format:
HEX
Example (Output 1 to Input 1):
0x01, 0x81, 0x81, 0x81
Ethernet
IP Address:
192.168.1.39
TCP Port Number:
5000
Network Mask:
255.255.255.0
Default Gateway:
192.168.1.1

VS-81H - Protocol 2000
17
9 Protocol 2000
Kramer Protocol 2000 for RS-232/RS-485 communication uses four bytes of
information as defined below.
MSB
LSB
DESTINATION
INSTRUCTION
0
D
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
N0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1st byte
INPUT
1
I6
I5
I4
I3
I2
I1
I0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2nd byte
OUTPUT
1
O6
O5
O4
O3
O2
O1
O0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
3rd byte
MACHINE NUMBER
1
OVR
X
M4
M3
M2
M1
M0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
4th byte
1st BYTE: Bit 7 –Defined as 0.
D –“DESTINATION”: 0 -for sending information to the switchers (from the PC);
1 - for sending to the PC (from the switcher).
N5…N0 – “INSTRUCTION”
The function that is to be performed by the switcher(s) is defined by the INSTRUCTION (6 bits). Similarly, if a function is
performed via the machine’s keyboard, then these bits are set with the INSTRUCTION NO., which was performed. The
instruction codes are defined according to the table below (INSTRUCTION NO. is the value to be set for N5…N0).
2nd BYTE: Bit 7 –Defined as 1.
I6…I0 – “INPUT”.
When switching (ie. instruction codes 1 and 2), the INPUT (7 bits) is set as the input number which is to be switched.
Similarly, if switching is done via the machine’s front-panel, then these bits are set with the INPUT NUMBER which was
switched. For other operations, these bits are defined according to the table.
3rd BYTE: Bit 7 –Defined as 1.
O6…O0 – “OUTPUT”.
When switching (ie. instruction codes 1 and 2), the OUTPUT (7 bits) is set as the output number which is to be switched.
Similarly, if switching is done via the machine’s front-panel, then these bits are set with the OUTPUT NUMBER which
was switched. For other operations, these bits are defined according to the table.
4th BYTE: Bit 7 –Defined as 1.
Bit 5 –Don’t care.
OVR –Machine number override.
M4…M0 – MACHINE NUMBER.
Used to address machines in a system via their machine numbers. When several machines are controlled from a single
serial port, they are usually configured together with each machine having an individual machine number. If the OVR bit
is set, then all machine numbers will accept (implement) the command, and the addressed machine will reply. For a
single machine controlled via the serial port, always set M4…M0 = 1, and make sure that the machine itself is
configured as MACHINE NUMBER = 1.
All the values in the table are decimal, unless otherwise stated
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